Crime Blog | Your filter to El Paso area police blotters and court dockets

Video depicts LA deputy punching woman

FROM THE LOS ANGELES TIMES -- Questions were growing about an incident on a Metro bus in which a Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy is seen on videotape striking a woman in the face.

The incident has been prominently shown on local TV and the Internet. Sheriff Lee Baca said Wednesday that officials would look into the incident.

He said the deputy would be held accountable for his actions but stopped short of saying the incident required discipline. He also said the deputy might require retraining.

To read more, click here.

Holiday safety tips

Officials with the El Paso County Sheriff's Office are offering the following tips to make sure area residents stay safe this holiday season.

When shopping:

•Dress comfortable and casual for freedom of motion

•Do not overload yourself with packages

•Park in a well lit area and close proximity

•Lock your car

•Do not leave valuable items in plain view

•Have your keys available or in hand

•Be aware of your surroundings before you exit your vehicle

•Check inside your vehicle before getting in

•Be aware of “con artists” trying to distract you with intention of taking your belongings

•Avoid wearing expensive jewelry

•Avoid carrying large amounts of cash

•Be aware of shoulder surfing when paying with debit/credit card

•Leave birth certificates, social security cards and other documents with personal identifying information at home in a secure place

When at home:

•Keep your home well lighted

•Be aware of dark areas/blind spots, landscaping, where an attacker can hide

•Do not place valuables in plain view from your home (Christmas tree with gifts)

•Do not place spare keys outside the home by the door

•Do not leave messages that you are away from home

While on a computer:

•Stay up to date with anti-virus software to detect or deflect malicious software

•Do not open unsolicited mail (spam)

•Be aware of phishing/smishing schemes to get personal identifying information by email or text

•Do not forget about orders you have placed

•Be aware of chain letters (by mail, email, text) that guarantee big money with a small investment

When giving to charity:

•Be aware of emails, callers claiming to be charitable organizations

•Verify information before you contribute to any organization

•Give to charities you know

•Be suspicious of those organizations who accept only cash

•Check out companies through Federal Trade Commission, Attorney General and Better Business Bureau

Tips sought in LC cold case

LAS CRUCES — A new composite sketch of an unidentified girl found dead in the desert north of Las Cruces nearly 27 years ago has renewed hope among investigators that the victim may finally be identified, according to the Doña Ana Sheriff's Office.

Rabbit hunters stumbled upon the shallow grave of human remains on March 10, 1985, at a location off Interstate 25 near Upham. Through autopsy, the New Mexico Office of the Medical Examiner determined the body was that of a Caucasian female, between 16 and 19 years old, with a slight build and blonde or light brown hair, who had likely buried three to six months prior to being discovered.

During the initial investigation, a clay reconstruction was created using the skeletal remains of her face, including a lower human jaw bone. Images of that reconstruction were made public, but did not result in any solid leads.

To read more and view the composite sketch, click here.

Sheriff's deputies seek stabbing suspect

LAS CRUCES — Doña Ana Sheriff's Investigators are looking for anyone who might have information on the location of a woman wanted for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.

Vanessa L. Garcia, 22, allegedly attacked another woman Sept. 2 and is believed to have fled to Arizona.

To read more and view Garcia's photo, click here.

Most wanted family violence suspects

Crime Stoppers of El Paso is asking for help in finding the persons listed below who have outstanding warrants for family violence assaults. If you are a victim of or a witness to family violence, report it immediately at 911, or call Crime Stoppers at 566-8477. Callers to Crime Stoppers will remain anonymous, and could receive a cash reward if their information proves useful in apprehending these offenders:

Manuel Herrera, 24, wanted for assault causing bodily injury/family violence.

Jesus Pineda, 42, wanted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon/dating violence.

Villegas' story featured in LA Times

Photo by Rudy Gutierrez / El Paso Times

The Los Angeles Times recently published an article about El Pasoan Daniel Villegas, who was convicted and sentenced to life in prison in 1995 for the shooting deaths of Armando "Mando" Lazo and Robert England in Northeast El Paso in 1993.

Villegas was 16 years old when the murders occurred. He's now 34 and claims he was coerced into confessing to the murders by an El Paso police detective. To read the Los Angeles Times story, click here.

The case has attracted attention from local and national media, including the NBC news show "Dateline."

A hearing, presided by Judge Sam Medrano Jr. of the 409th District Court, began in June to determine whether Villegas deserves a new trial. The hearing was postponed after new evidence came to light that may affect the case against Villegas.

The hearing is scheduled to continue on Sept. 6. Steven Drizin, founder of the Northwestern Law Center's Center on Wrongful Convictions of Youth is expected to attend portions of the hearing, along with Richard Leo, a false confession expert, from the University of San Francisco School of Law.

Sheriff to host town hall meeting

El Paso County Sheriff Richard Wiles will host a town hall meeting in Clint on Wednesday.

The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at the Clint patrol station, 190 San Elizario Road. The patrol station is located inside the office of Justice of the Peace precinct 6.

Wiles will discuss services offered to county residents. The public is invited to attend and discuss any safety concerns.

BOLO: Most wanted for family violence

Crime Stoppers of El Paso is asking for the media’s help in publicizing the persons listed below who have outstanding warrants for Family Violence assaults.  With your assistance, we can bring them to justice.

If you are a victim of or a witness to family violence, report it immediately at 911.  Or you can call Crime Stoppers at 566-TIPS (566-8477) to report on-going concerns.  You will remain anonymous, and you could receive a cash reward if your information proves useful in apprehending these offenders:

Jose Enriquez, 21

Gerardo Gutierrez, 39

Erika Martinez, 21

Gustavo Soriano, 35

Violent fugitive arrested near Las Cruces

From the Las Cruces Sun-News:

LAS CRUCES - Jesus Loya, a known gang member, was arrested in the desert near Vado less than 24 hours after being placed on the New Mexico's Most Wanted list.

Loya, who was wanted for kidnapping, battery, assault, bribery or intimidation of a witness, and criminal sexual penetration, was taken into custody by the United States Marshals Service May 19. Loya is a confirmed Sureño 13 gang member, according to USMS, with an extensive criminal record and was added to the New Mexico Most Wanted list as a Most Wanted Gang Offender only hours before his arrest.

Investigators developed information that lead them to a house in Vado. Deputy U.S. Marshals made contact with the occupants of the residence and learned, Loya was on foot in the Vado area looking for a job.

Deputy Marshals saturated the area and located Loya in the desert attempting to dig out a stuck vehicle. He was placed under arrest and transported back to Dona Ana County Detention Center in Las Cruces, NM.

Authorities on the lookout for murder suspect

From Crime Stoppers of El Paso:

Crime Stoppers of El Paso is assisting the U.S. Marshals Service in seeking information from the public about the location of a fugitive who is wanted for a double homicide in California.

Ruben Vargas, 35, also known as Ruben Lopez, is wanted for a double homicide that occurred in Pomona, Calif., on Jan. 4.  He is Hispanic, 5 feet 6 inches tall, 260 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.  He may be in the El Paso/Juárez area.

If you have a tip about Vargas' location, or about any crime in our area, call Crime Stoppers of El Paso immediately at 566-TIPS (566-8477) or submit your tip online at www.crimestoppersofelpaso.org.  You may also text CRIME1 (no space) plus the tip information to CRIMES (274637).  You will remain anonymous and, if your tip leads to an arrest, you could earn a cash reward.